Re: [A/S] Digest Number 1505

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kelvin,

The only information on the UniVolt was developed by individuals 
that cracked them open and did them selves. The UniVolt's were 
proprietary units and never intended for field repair. Having said that
they are actually quite simple. The complexity is in the transformer 
which either does or doesn't work. The remaining components are  4 
diodes and 2 electrolytic capacitors. The diode work as a bridge 
rectifier to break down the transformers AC output into a rough DC 
voltage which are in turn filtered by the capacitors and the battery 
connected at the output of the converter.
Each of the diodes can be tested by carefully isolating one leg and 
checking it with an Ohm meter or equivalent.
The capacitors can like wise be tested, all though with an ohmmeter 
it is more difficult to do so accurately.
Both the diodes and the capacitor's have labels on them identifying 
their type, or size and rating.
The standard field test is with a good, charged battery installed and 
the coach in a location to be plugged in to shore power, measure the 
voltage at the battery with the coach unplugged. Then remeasure 
the battery voltage with the coach plugged in. A difference of +.5V 
is considered a good output measure.
Quite honestly with the new technology available in current model 
converter it is questionable to repair one of the old UniVolts.

Charlie